Rugby legend Edwards handed honor

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LONDON, England -- Gareth Edwards, voted the greatest player of all time in a Rugby World magazine poll, has been awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in Queen Elizabeth's New Year's Honors list.

The former Wales captain, 59, played scrum-half for the 1971 British and Irish Lions team who remain the only Lions side to win a series in New Zealand.

"Gareth Edwards has achieved iconic status as a rugby player and is universally respected as a sporting role model," the British Government said in a statement.

Edwards was also a member of the unbeaten 1974 Lions in South Africa.

Welshman Ian Woosnam, captain of the European team who beat the United States in the Ryder Cup for the third time in a row, was given an OBE (Officer of the Order).

Zara Phillips, the individual three-day event world champion, and England and Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard were awarded MBEs (Member of the Order).